A LICHFIELD councillor says he shares concerns residents have about flags designed to intimidate members of the community.
Lampposts across the local area have been adorned with the national symbols in recent weeks.
But a TV report saw some of those putting flags up reveal they had been supplied by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, leading to Lichfield’s MP calling for unity rather than division.
Cllr Paul Ray, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Lichfield District Council, said local people were also concerned by the impact of the flags.
He said:
“We have been contacted by various residents concerned about the flags that have gone up in recent weeks – and we share these concerns.
“We have no problem with national flags being flown as they are important symbols of national pride, but we are concerned about what this can do to our community cohesion.
“To blame the people who have recently arrived in our country for the current condition of the nation’s finances and public services is wrong. That is due to decisions made by current and previous governments.”
A number of flags have also appeared with slogans across Lichfield and Burntwood too – something Staffordshire County Council has previously suggested would fall foul of its flag protocol due to them being modified.
Cllr Ray said the impact of such efforts to create division was being felt across the wider community.
“Any abuse or racism is totally unacceptable and we are seeing a small minority of far-right extremists seeking to undermine our British values of decency, tolerance and respect for the rule of law.
“The Liberal Democrats have real sympathy for how many members of our ethnic minority communities must be feeling at present.
“We will always stand firm against hate, violence and racism in all its forms.
“There is nothing wrong with flying the flag and being proud to be British as long as it’s not being done to be intimidating or threatening to any communities.”
Those flags which say ‘unite the kingdom’ should be removed, no debate! They are linked with Tommy Robinson and his pals and this is not what Lichfield stands for (surely!!! Or maybe I am wrong!)
The flags are linked to Yaxley-Lennon who has an EU passport and a nice place in Spain.Are those things too good for his followers?
People who voted to lose their rights and freedoms so that a convicted criminal can make money out of them may wish to think again.
These are the flags that countless people over many years and conflicts have fought and died for, in their honour and memory, they should be displayed with pride!
This fake patriotism going unchallenged is giving some people the go-ahead to be openly racist. Friends who have felt comfortable here in Lichfield for many years are now experiencing hostility. I’m ashamed and horrified. Why is our government, national and local, not tackling this?
I totally disagree with the councillor these flags are part of our culture and national pride. Has councillor Ray fought for this country as I did? If he has then he would be proud of our national identity. Not insinuating that people are far right or racist
#Tony given the number of thumbs down you may well be wrong. Come on people we need more thumbs up. SCC have the weight of the law behind them under The Highway Act 1980 S132, so why aren’t they invoking it? Probably because it suits their rhetoric. These flags are not uniting the country. Divide and rule. It’s not patriotism but extreme nationalism driven by the far-right exploiting anxieties to manipulate peoples behaviour or misguided beliefs that immigration, migration, asylum seekers are
the cause of the countries problems. They are not and the narrative is not helped by some irresponsible sections of the media playing on these fears. At least two perpetrators have broken the law and have been identified. Have they being dealt with? I’m guessing not. What are SCC scared of? Somebody needs some backbone. “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing”. If I had the means I’d be removing them myself.